Fashion scrunch clip apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

An apparatus including an attachment device configured to allow the pin to be inserted and held by the attachment device; a strip of material having a first end and an opposing second end; wherein the pin is fixed to the strip of material nearer the first end than the second end; wherein the attachment device is fixed to the strip of material nearer the second end than the first end; and wherein the pin is configured to attach to the attachment device, The pin may project out substantially perpendicular from the strip of material, such that the pin can be inserted into the attachment device to cause the apparatus to be substantially in a closed loop, without the pin projecting out of the attachment device. The apparatus may be attached to clothing to cause one portion of the clothing to come closer to another portion of the clothing for aesthetics.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to fashion accessories.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various fashion accessories are known in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In at least one embodiment an apparatus is provided comprising: a pin;an attachment device configured to allow the pin to be inserted and heldby the attachment device; a strip of material having a first end and anopposing second end; wherein the pin is fixed to the strip of materialnearer the first end than the second end; wherein the attachment deviceis fixed to the strip of material nearer the second end than the firstend; and wherein the pin is configured to attach to the attachmentdevice to cause the strip of material to be in a substantially closedloop.

The strip of material may have a length and a width, wherein the lengthis substantially longer than the width. The length of the strip ofmaterial may be between two and six inches. The pin may project outsubstantially perpendicular from the strip of material. The pin may havea height, projecting outwards substantially perpendicularly from thestrip of material, such that the pin can be inserted into the attachmentdevice to cause the apparatus to be substantially in a closed loop,without the pin projecting out of the attachment device.

In at least one embodiment a method is provided which comprisesattaching an apparatus to clothing in a manner which causes one portionof the clothing to be brought closer together to another portion of theclothing for aesthetic purposes. The apparatus may constructed aspreviously described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a top, right, and front perspective view of a first apparatusin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, with aportion of the apparatus shown broken away, and with the first apparatusin an open state;

FIG. 1B is a top, right, and front perspective view of a secondapparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,which may be identical to the first apparatus of FIG. 1A, except that nobreakaway portion is shown in FIG. 1B, and with the second apparatus inan open state;

FIG. 2A is a top plan view the first apparatus of FIG. 1A in an openstate;

FIG. 2B is a top plan view of the second apparatus of FIG. 1B in an openstate;

FIG. 3A is a bottom plan view of the first apparatus of FIG. 1A, in anopen state;

FIG. 3B is a bottom plan view of the second apparatus of FIG. 1B in anopen state;

FIG. 4A is a right side elevational view of the first apparatus of FIG.1A, in an open state, the left side being a mirror image of the rightside;

FIG. 4B is a right side elevational view of the second apparatus of FIG.1B, in an open state, the left side being a mirror image of the rightside;

FIG. 5A is a rear elevational view of the first apparatus of FIG. 1A inan open state;

FIG. 5B is a rear elevational view of the second apparatus of FIG. 1B inan open state;

FIG. 6A is a front elevational view of the first apparatus of FIG. 1A inan open state;

FIG. 6B is a front elevational view of the second apparatus of FIG. 1Bin an open state;

FIG. 7A is a first perspective view of the first apparatus of FIG. 1A ina closed state;

FIG. 7B is a first perspective view of the second apparatus of FIG. 1Bin a closed state;

FIG. 8A is a second perspective view of the first apparatus of FIG. 1Ain a closed state;

FIG. 8B is a second perspective view of the second apparatus of FIG. 1Bin a closed state;

FIG. 9A shows a diagram of part of a person wearing a pant;

FIG. 9B shows a diagram of the part of the person of FIG. 9A wearing thepant, with the first apparatus of FIG. 1B, attached to the pant and in aclosed state;

FIG. 10A shows a diagram of part of a person wearing a blouse or shirt;

FIG. 10B shows a diagram of the part of the person of FIG. 10A wearingthe blouse or shirt, with the first apparatus of FIG. 1B, attached tothe blouse or shirt and in a closed state;

FIG. 11A shows a diagram of a back of a part of a person who is wearinga shirt;

FIG. 11B shows a diagram of the part of the person of FIG. 11A wearingthe shirt, with the first apparatus of FIG. 1B, attached to the shirtand in a closed state;

FIG. 12A shows a diagram of a part of a person wearing a pants leg;

FIG. 12B shows a diagram of the part of the person of FIG. 12A wearingthe pants leg, with the first apparatus of FIG. 1B, attached to thepants leg and in a closed state;

FIG. 13A shows a diagram of a part of a person wearing a skirt;

FIG. 13B shows a diagram of the part of the person of FIG. 13A wearingthe skirt, with the first apparatus of FIG. 1B, attached to the skirtand in a closed state;

FIG. 14A shows a diagram of a part of a person wearing a shirt;

FIG. 14B shows a diagram of the part of the person of FIG. 14A wearingthe shirt, with the first apparatus of FIG. 1B attached to the shirt andin a closed state;

FIG. 15A shows a diagram of a part of a person wearing a shirt;

FIG. 15B shows a diagram of the part of the person of FIG. 15A wearingthe shirt, with the first apparatus of FIG. 1B attached to the shirt andin a closed state; and

FIG. 16 shows a diagram of part of a person wearing pants, with twoapparatus, which may be the apparatus of FIG. 1B or identical apparatus,attached to the front of the pants to provide a functional and/oraesthetic effect.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a top, right, and front perspective view of a first apparatus1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, with aportion of the apparatus 1 shown broken away, and with the firstapparatus 1 in an open state.

The first apparatus 1 may include a ring 2, an attachment device 4, astrip 6, a ring 10, a ring 12, a pin 14, and a ring 16. The strip 6 maybe sandwiched between the ring 2 and the attachment device 4, whereinthe ring 2 and the attachment device 4 are fixed to a portion 6 a of thestrip 6. The strip 6 may be sandwiched between the ring 12 and the ring10 wherein the ring 12 and the ring 10 are fixed to a portion 6 b of thestrip 6. The strip 6 may be made of a cloth material. Each of the ring2, the attachment device 4, the ring 10, the ring 12, the pin 14, andthe ring 16 may be made of metal, such as a hard metal.

FIG. 2A is a top plan view the first apparatus 1 of FIG. 1A in the openstate. FIG. 3A is a bottom plan view of the first apparatus 1 of FIG.1A, in an open state. FIG. 4A is a right side elevational view of thefirst apparatus 1 of FIG. 1A, in an open state, the left side being amirror image of the right side. FIG. 5A is a rear elevational view ofthe first apparatus 1 of FIG. 1A in an open state. FIG. 6A is a frontelevational view of the first apparatus 1 of FIG. 1A in an open state.FIG. 7A is a first perspective view of the first apparatus 1 of FIG. 1Ain a closed state. FIG. 8A is a second perspective view of the firstapparatus 1 of FIG. 1A in a closed state.

The attachment device 4 may include members 4 a and 4 b, which can besqueezed together in the direction D1 and D2, respectively, shown inFIG. 4A. This squeezing together, causes ends of the members 4 a and 4 bwithin a body 104 c to separate, and thereby permits the pin 14, staringfrom point 14 a, to enter into an inner chamber of the body 4 c of theattachment device 4, with the pin 14 entering first through the ring102, then piercing the strip 106, and then into the inner chamber of thebody 4 c. When the members 4 a and 4 b are released, such that pressureis not being applied in the directions D1 and D2 respectively, the pin14, or a substantial part of the pin 14, is held within the innerchamber of the body 4 c of the attachment device 4, by the ends ofmembers 4 a and 4 b, within the body 4 c, coming together and holdingthe pin 14, such as shown in FIG. 7A and 8A. In the closed state orconfiguration of FIGS. 7A and 8A, the apparatus 1 is substantially in aclosed loop.

FIG. 1B is a top, right, and front perspective view of a secondapparatus 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,which may be identical to the first apparatus 1 of FIG. 1A, except thatno breakaway portion is shown in FIG. 1B, and with the second apparatus100 in an open state.

The second apparatus 100 may include a ring 102, an attachment device104, a strip 106, a ring 110, a ring 112, a pin 114, and a ring 116. Thestrip 106 may be sandwiched between the ring 102 and the attachmentdevice 104, wherein the ring 102 and the attachment device 104 are fixedto the strip 106. The strip 106 may be sandwiched between the ring 112and the ring 110 wherein the ring 112 and the ring 110 are fixed to thestrip 106. The strip 106 may be made of a cloth material. Each of thering 102, the attachment device 104, the ring 110, the ring 112, the pin114, and the ring 116 may be made of metal, such as a hard metal.

FIG. 2B is a top plan view the second apparatus 100 of FIG. 1B in theopen state. FIG. 3B is a bottom plan view of the second apparatus 100 ofFIG. 1B, in an open state. FIG. 4B is a right side elevational view ofthe second apparatus 100 of FIG. 1B, in an open state, the left sidebeing a mirror image of the right side. FIG. 5B is a rear elevationalview of the second apparatus 100 of FIG. 1A in an open state. FIG. 6B isa front elevational view of the second apparatus 100 of FIG. 1A in anopen state. FIG. 7B is a first perspective view of the second apparatus100 of FIG. 1B in a closed state. FIG. 8B is a second perspective viewof the second apparatus 100 of FIG. 1B in a closed state.

The attachment device 104 may include protrusions 104 a and 104 b, whichcan be squeezed together in the direction D3 and D4, respectively, shownin FIG. 4B. This squeezing together, causes ends of the members 104 aand 104 b within a body 104 c, to separate, and permits the pin 114,staring from point 114 a, to enter into an inner chamber of the body 104c of the attachment device 104, with the pin 114 entering through thering 102, piercing through the strip 106, and then into the body 104 c.When the protrusions 104 a and 104 b are released, such that pressure isnot being applied in the directions D3 and D4 respectively, the pin 114,or a substantial part of the pin 114, is held within the inner chamberof the body 104 c of the attachment device 104, by ends of the members104 a and 104 b within the body portion 104 c coming together andholding the pin 114 in place, such as shown in FIGS. 7A and 8A. In theclosed state or configuration of FIGS. 7A and 8A, the apparatus 1 issubstantially in a closed loop.

The members 4 a, 4 b, and 104 a and 104 b, may be spring biased, bysprings within the body 4 c or 104 c in a closed state wherein ends ofthe members, within the body 4 c or 104 c, are in contact.

The strip 106 may have a length L1, shown in FIG. 2B which may be two tosix inches. The strip 106 may have a width W1, shown in FIG. 2B, ofabout one inch. The strip 106 may be made of an elastic material, orfabric material, and may have various designs.

FIG. 9A shows a diagram of part 200 of a person wearing a pant 202. Thepant may include a bottom end or portion 202 b and a top or waistportion 202 a. The part 200 of the person may include a back 200 a,waist or hips 200 b, and thighs 200 c.

FIG. 9B shows a diagram of the part 200 of the person of FIG. 9A wearingthe pant 202, with the second apparatus 100 of FIG. 1B, attached to thepant 202 and in a closed state. The second apparatus 100 pulls togetheror scrunches together the portions 202 a and 202 b of the pant 202 tocause a line 204, and generally to tighten the pant 202, for aestheticand/or functional purposes. In FIG. 9B, the second apparatus 100 is inthe closed state shown in FIGS. 7B and 8B, with the pin 114 insertedinto the body 104 c of the attachment device 104.

FIG. 10A shows a diagram of part 300 of a person wearing a blouse orshirt 302. The blouse or shirt 302 may include chest portion 302 b andbottom or waist portion 302 a. The part 300 of the person may includechest 300 a and stomach area 300 b.

FIG. 10B shows a diagram of the part 300 of the person of FIG. 10Awearing the blouse or shirt 302, with the second apparatus 100 of FIG.1B, attached to the blouse or shirt 302 and in a closed state. Thesecond apparatus 100 pulls together or scrunches together the portions302 a and 302 b of the shirt or blouse 302 to cause stomach area 300 bto be visible, or clothes worn underneath blouse or shirt 302 in thestomach area 300 b to be visible, and generally tightens the blouse orshirt 302, for aesthetic and/or functional purposes. In FIG. 10B, thesecond apparatus 100 is in the closed state shown in FIGS. 7B and 8B,with the pin 114 inserted into the body 104 c of the attachment device104.

FIG. 11A shows a diagram of a back of a part 400 of a person who iswearing a shirt 402. The part 400 includes upper back 400 a and lowerback 400 b. The shirt 402 includes back area 402 a and waist end 402 b.FIG. 11B shows a diagram of the part 400 of the person of FIG. 11Awearing the shirt 402, with the second apparatus 100 of FIG. 1B,attached to the shirt 402 and in a closed state. The second apparatus100 pulls together or scrunches together the portions 402 a and 402 b ofthe shirt 402 to cause lower back area 400 b to be visible, or clothesworn underneath shirt 402 in the lower back area 400 b to be visible,and generally tightens shirt 402, for aesthetic and/or functionalpurposes. In FIG. 11B, the second apparatus 100 is in the closed stateshown in FIGS. 7B and 8B, with the pin 114 inserted into the body 104 cof the attachment device 104.

FIG. 12A shows a diagram of a part 500 of a person wearing a pants leg502. The pants leg includes upper portion 502 a and lower portion 502 b.The part 500 of the person includes upper leg area 500 a and lower legarea 500 b. FIG. 12B shows a diagram of the part 500 of the person ofFIG. 12A wearing the pants leg 502, with the second apparatus 100 ofFIG. 1B, attached to the pants leg 502 and in a closed state. The secondapparatus 100 pulls together or scrunches together the portions 502 aand 502 b of the pants leg 502 to cause lower leg area 500 b to bevisible, or clothes worn underneath pants leg 502 in the lower leg area500 b to be visible, and generally tightens pants leg 502, for aestheticand/or functional purposes. In FIG. 12B, the second apparatus 100 is inthe closed state shown in FIGS. 7B and 8B, with the pin 114 insertedinto the body 104 c of the attachment device 104.

FIG. 13A shows a diagram of a part 600 of a person wearing a skirt 602.The skirt 602 includes upper portion 602 a and lower portion 602 b. Thepart 600 of the person includes upper leg area 600 a and lower leg areaor feet 600 b. FIG. 13B shows a diagram of the part 600 of the person ofFIG. 13A wearing the skirt 602, with the second apparatus 100 of FIG.1B, attached to the skirt 600 and in a closed state. The secondapparatus 100 pulls together or scrunches together the portions 602 aand 602 b of the skirt 602 to cause leg area 600 a to be visible, orclothes worn underneath skirt 602 in the area 600 a to be visible, andgenerally tightens skirt 602, for aesthetic and/or functional purposes.In FIG. 13B, the second apparatus 100 is in the closed state shown inFIGS. 7B and 8B, with the pin 114 inserted into the body 104 c of theattachment device 104.

FIG. 14A shows a diagram of a part 700 of a person wearing a shirt 702.The shirt 702 includes upper portion 702 a and lower portion 702 b. Thepart 700 of the person includes upper back area 700 a and lower backarea 700 b. FIG. 14B shows a diagram of the part 700 of the person ofFIG. 14A wearing the shirt 702, with the second apparatus 100 of FIG.1B, attached to the shirt 700 and in a closed state. The secondapparatus 100 pulls together or scrunches together the portions 702 aand 702 b of the shirt 702 to cause back area 700 b to be visible, orclothes worn underneath shirt 702 in the area 700 b to be visible, andgenerally tightens shirt 702, for aesthetic and/or functional purposes.In FIG. 14B, the second apparatus 100 is in the closed state shown inFIGS. 7B and 8B, with the pin 114 inserted into the body 104 c of theattachment device 104.

FIG. 15A shows a diagram of a part 800 of a person wearing a shirt 802.The shirt 802 includes upper arm portion 802 a and lower edge or portion802 b. The part 800 of the person includes should area 800 a and armarea 800 b. FIG. 15B shows a diagram of the part 800 of the person ofFIG. 15A wearing the shirt 802, with the second apparatus 100 of FIG.1B, attached to the shirt 900 and in a closed state. The secondapparatus 100 pulls together or scrunches together the portions 802 aand 802 b of the shirt 802 to cause arm area 800 b to be visible, orclothes worn underneath shirt 802 in the area 800 b to be visible, andgenerally tightens shirt 802, for aesthetic and/or functional purposes.In FIG. 15B, the second apparatus 100 is in the closed state shown inFIGS. 7B and 8B, with the pin 114 inserted into the body 104 c of theattachment device 104.

In at least one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4B, the pin 114 may have aheight H1, which is less than or equal to the height H2 of thecombination of the ring 102, strip 106, and attachment device 104 sothat the pin 114 can be attached to the attachment device 104 as inFIGS. 7B and 8B to form a substantially closed loop, without the pin 114exiting the attachment device 104. In this manner a person will notstick themselves with the pin 114 since it does not project outwardsfrom attachment device 104.

FIG. 16 shows a diagram of part 900 of a person wearing pants 902, withthe front 902 a of the pants 902 shown in FIG. 16. FIG. 16 also showsthe second apparatus 100 and an identical apparatus 100′ attached to thefront of the pants 902 in a manner to tighten the pants 902 or in oneembodiment to create a pocket in area 902 b, or to otherwise scrunch orpull together different portions of the pants 902. The apparatus 100′has components 106′ and 112′ which may be identical to components 106and 112, respectively.

Although the invention has been described by reference to particularillustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of theinvention may become apparent to those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to include within this patent all such changes andmodifications as may reasonably and properly be included within thescope of the present invention's contribution to the art.

I claim:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a pin; an attachment deviceconfigured to allow the pin to be inserted and held by the attachmentdevice; a strip of material having a first end and an opposing secondend; wherein the pin is fixed to the strip of material nearer the firstend than the second end; wherein the attachment device is fixed to thestrip of material nearer the second end than the first end; and andwherein the pin is configured to attach to the attachment device tocause the strip of material to be in a substantially closed loop.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the strip of material has a length and awidth, wherein the length is substantially longer than the width.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 2 wherein the length of the strip of material isbetween two and six inches.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pinprojects out substantially perpendicular from the strip of material. 5.The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising the pin has a height,projecting outwards substantially perpendicularly from the strip ofmaterial, such that the pin can be inserted into the attachment deviceto cause the apparatus to be substantially in a closed loop, without thepin projecting out of the attachment device.
 6. A method comprising thesteps of: attaching an apparatus to clothing in a manner which causesone portion of the clothing to be brought closer together to anotherportion of the clothing; wherein the apparatus comprises: a pin; anattachment device configured to allow the pin to be inserted and held bythe attachment device; and a strip of material having a first end and anopposing second end; wherein the pin is fixed to the strip of materialnearer the first end than the second end; wherein the attachment deviceis fixed to the strip of material nearer the second end than the firstend; and and wherein the pin is configured to attach to the attachmentdevice to cause the strip of material to be in a substantially closedloop.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein the strip of material has alength and a width, wherein the length is substantially longer than thewidth.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein the length of the strip ofmaterial is between two and six inches.
 9. The method of claim 7 whereinthe pin projects out substantially perpendicular from the strip ofmaterial.
 10. The method of claim 6 wherein the pin has a height,projecting outwards substantially perpendicularly from the strip ofmaterial, such that the pin can be inserted into the attachment deviceto cause the apparatus to be substantially in a closed loop, without thepin projecting out of the attachment device.